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Dec. 4,1928. 1,693,652

J. C. MCCUNE SPLIT REDUCTION DEVICE Filed June 23, 1927 /8 INVENTOR JOSEPH QMc CUNE Isa ATTORNEY l atented Dec. 4,

Y Entree TATE;

J'osnPH- o. MCCUNE, or nnenwoon, PENNSYLVANIA.ASSIGIKTOR TO egwest q; wrnmnnnrne, PENNSYLVANIA, a oonronns Boner AIR BBA nooMrAnY, or salon or PENNSYLVANIA; r

sPLIT-Rnn o'rIon nnvron Application iiled June 23, 1927. Seria1 -No;Q,85 8..i

This invention relateshto fluid pressure,

brakes and more particularlyto train con;- trol apparatus of the'ty'pe having means for automatically efiecting a-brake application in two stages.

It has, heretofore, been proposed to pro-' vide a train control equipment,in Which'the brake'pipe pressure is automatically reduced in two stages, in making an applicatio'nof the brakes, so as to" effect an initial light brake pipe reduction, in order to lightly ap-,

ply the "brakes and cause the slack between the vehicles of the. trainto gently gather tou ardthe front of the-train and'a'fter the slack is thus gathered, said device operates to eiiect a second and heavier. brake pipe reduction, in order to cause the desired application. i

" The time required liorthe gathering of the slack in a train varie s in'accordancez vvith variations of the train length. Furthermore, brake pipe leakage and-increased brake pipe pressure tends to hasten-the rate of brake application,so thatas a result, the time,froni. the startof the first to the start oi the second reduction in brake pipes pres},

sure,is not constanhbut instead, varies under'diiierent train conditions; I y l The principal object ofmy invention-is to provide improved meansto'r automatically effecting a two stage reduction in brake pipe pressure, said means being adapted toautomatically control the time between reductions, under the various train (renditions. hereinbefore described.

Other objects and adv'antageswill appear in the following more detailed description of my invention. a

in the accompany ng drawing, the single figure is a diagrammatic,'sectional'vieiv ofa,

train control equipment embodying my in vontion and showingthe partsin their normal release positions, V

' As shown in the drawing, the equipment may comprise brake valve device 1, a split or two stage reductionvalve device2, a magnet valve device 3,and two feed valve devicesv 5 and 6. The brake valve device 1 comprises a casing, having a chamber 7 containing the usnalarotary valve 8, adapted to be operated be operated by said piston.

7 ing and outward: movement the handle 9, and-also "containing? an equalizing piston; 10, forming at one side chamber 11 connectedto the equalizing res; ervoir 12 and at the oppositeside achamber 18' connected to the usual brake pipe l 4, by

Wayot passage 15, said equalizing piston be ing adapted to. operate abrake pipe dis- I charge valve 16.

Y The brake valve device 1 her 17, containinga cut-ofi valve18,'adapted to seal on aseat ring 19. Thevalve 18 is,

also has a cham connected, by-astem 20, to a piston 2l,;con- I I tained' in chamber 22; and is subjectt'o'the' pressure of avcoi-l-springp23, also contained in-the chamber 22. Aichamber24 is formed between thepi's'ton 21 anclvalveseat 19 and v va ofoassa 'es 25 and 15.' l t is connected to the usual brake pipe 14 by Asssociated with the brakevalvedvicmis I a brake application valve portion 26,'which hasa piston chamber 27, containing a plston and a: spring 29 opposingoutward movement of sa d p ston, anda valve chamber.

30, containing a slide valve The splitfreductiony valve )IlSQS a casin havin a chamber 32 oon.-

to z: 7

7:. dapted to j 715.", device 2 co tainingan application piston 33and a spring 34, opposing outward movementof said-piston,zand a valve chamber 35 containing a Slide valve 46, adapted irto be operated "by said piston; This casing also has alchamber 37, connected to the atmosphere passage 38 and containing a timing valve piston 39, adapted to be moved, by the pressure of a spring 40, to seal on a, seat ring 41.) The valve piston 39 isadapted control theop;

eration of a hold back piston 42', contained in chamber 43, which latter piston; is adapted to operate a slide valve 44, contained ina valve chamber 45, The piston 42 is adapted to seal on [a seat ring 46 formed in the catsthereof is opposed by a spring47. a 1 v Contained in the split reduction casing, is a'regulating portion, which comprises a diaphragm head 48, forming a; chamber 49 at one side-and a valve chamber 50 ,at the opposite s1de,. said valve chamber containing aslide valve 51,;adapted tohe operated the diaphragm head 48. This regulating portion also has a diaphragm head 52, which together with the diaphragm head 48 forms a chamber 19. At the opposite side of diaphragm 52 is a chamber 53, whiclrcontains a spring 128, acting on the diaphragm head. Carried and operated by the diaphragm head 52 is a stem 54,- which extends through an opening in the casing wall and through a chamber 55 and has formed, at its outer end, a valve 56, which is adapted. to

control"communication between a passage and chamber The split reduction device alsohas a control portion, which comprises a piston 58, contained in a chamber 59 and outward movement thereof opposed by a spring 60, and also comprises aslide valve 61, contained in valve chamber 62 andjadapted to be operated by said piston.

. A chamber 63, in the split reduction valve device casing, contains a valve piston 6%, adapted to be moved by the pressure of spring 66 to seal on a seat ring 65. Upon a certain downward movement the valve piston (31 is adapted to engage the stem 67 of a valve 68,'said valve being contained in a chamber 69 and downward movement of said valve is opposed by aspring 70. The valve stemfi'r' extends through a wall in the casing and an atmospheric cavity 71 formed in said well and has a fluted portion, adjacent the valve, which extends into the valve piston chamber 63, so as to maintain an atmospheric connection between the valve piston chamber (Band cavity 71.

The magnet'valve device 3 comprises a casing, containing a magnet and having a charm her-72 connected to the atmosphere by a passage 73. The chamber 72 contains a valve 74, adapted to be operated by said magnet. 7 -The magnet valve 7 1 has a fluted stem extending through a wall in the casing and into a chamber 75, which chamber is connected by a passage 76 and pipes Wand 78 to the brakevalve application piston chamber 27 and the split reduction valve application piston chamber 32, respectively.

The magnet valve device casing also has a chamber 79, containing a spring 80, said spring acting on a collar formed on a fluted stem 81, which stein extends through a wall of the casing and within the cavity 75, engages the fluted stem of valve 74:. p

In operation, with atrain in clear territory, the magnet 8 is energized and operates toseat the valve 741. Fluid under pressure is supplied from the main reservoir 88 through pipe 89 to the application valve chamber 35 of the split reduction device 2 and through pipe 89 and passage 90 to the rotary valve chamber 7 of the brake valve device and the application valve chamber 3 0 of the brake valve device 1. Fluid under pressure from the valve chamber 30 flows through the port 91 in the application piston and into the piston chamber 27 and then through passage 92, pipe 77 and passage '70 to chamber of the magnet valve device and from pipe 77 through pipe 78 to the application valve piston chamber 32 of the s lit reduction device. ince the magnet valve 7 1 is held seated, pressure builds up in the application piston chambers 27 and 32, equal to the pressure of iluid in the valve chambers .30 and 35, so that the pressure of 29 and 34- holds the application pisaad-33 in the inward or release position, as shown in the drawing.

' Fluid, at the usual pressure carried in the she pipe, is supplied by the feed valve deice 5 to passage 93 in the brake valve device 1. ll itli the brake valve device in running position, fluid at feedvalve pressure from passage 93 flows to the equalizing piston chamber 11 by way of port 9% in the rotary valve 8, passage 95, cavity 96 in the application slide valve 31 and passages J7 and 98. Fluid under pressure in passage 98 flows through a choke plug 99 to the equalizing reservoir 12.

Fluid at teed valve pressure flows through port 9 1 in the rotary valve and port 100, passage 101, cavity 102 in the application slide valve 31 and passage 103 to the cut-off valve piston chamber 22. Fluid at feed valve pressure is also supplied from passage 101, through passage 104 to the cutoff valve chamber 17.. Since the opposing fluid pressures on the piston 21 are thus equalized, the spring 23 holds the piston 21 in position with the cut-oil valve unseated, as shown in the drawing, in which position, fluid at feed valve pressure from chamber 17, flows to the brake pipe 1 1'and to the equalizing piston chamber 13 by way of chamber 21- and passages 25 and 15.

Fluid under pressure supplied by the reed valve device 5 continues to flow as above described until the brake pipe 1 1, the equalizing reservoir 12' and the equalizing piston chambers 11 and 13 are charged to substantially the pressure for which the feed valve device 5 is adjusted. The discharge valve 16 is held seated in the usual manner.

Fluid, at the pressure employed for operation of the split reduction valve device 2, is supplied by the feed valve device 6, to the hold back valve chamber and the control valve chamber 62 ot the split reduction device 2, by way of pipe 105and passage 106. Fluid under pressure in th hold back valve chamber 415 then flows through passage 107, cavity 108 in the application slide valve 36 and passage 109'cto chamber 110 inside the timing valve seat ringell, and from chamber 110 through passage 111 to a timing reservoir 112. At the start of charging, the

tim ng valve 39 is seated against the seat l/Vhen-th'e pressure inchamber 110, acting on the tuning valve piston 39, inside the seat ring 41, becomes suflicient to overcome the opposing pressure of spring 40, the tuning valvepiston 39 is shifted to'the'right, thereby exposing the full area ofsaid p ston to the pressure lnvchamber 110. The tinnng" valve piston is then quickly moved to itsoutward position-andeflects a seal on the gasket 115 and'cl-oses the connection between port 114 and the spring chamber 37. At substantially the same time, the timing valve.

opensa connection from chamber llO'tothe hold back piston chamber 43,;by way of port 116 and passage 113,'so thatfluid under pressr 121, The diaphragm chamber e9 or" the.

sure flows from the chamber 110 to the hold back piston chamber 43, which thus becomes charged to a pressure according to the adslide valve 44in the position, as shown in the drawing.

With the split reduction. application slide valve chamber of the regulating portion and the reservior 117 are ventedto'" the atmosphere through passages 118. and 119, cav ty 120 in the splitreduction application slide valve 36 and the atmospheric passage regulating portion is connected through passage 122 to the seat of the split'reduction appllcation shde valve 36 fi-IlCllS' normally at atmospheric pressure, on account of having been vented through-cavity 123 'in said slide valve, passage 124 and the chocked passage 125, during a preceding brake applicashown in thedrawing, in'which tion, at which time the split reduction ap pllcat on slide valve 36 was in the outward or application position. The diaphragm 7 head 48 is thus normally balancedby atmospheric pressure and is in the position shown in the drawing, in which position, the slide valve 51 laps the passage 126' from V the control piston chamber 59. Fluid from the control valve chamber 62, flowing through port 127 in the hold back pistony58, thus equalizes into the piston chamber 59 and the pressure of spring 60 then holds the control piston and slide valve 61in the position shown inlthe drawing. v

With the split reductionapplication slide valve 36 in the inward or. release position and diaphragm chamber 49 0f the regulating portion at atmospheric pressure, spr ng 128 holds the diaphragm head 52 in the position valve 56isunseated.

vFluid under pressure in the brake pipe seated. a'galnst the seat ,r1ngfu65, the pressure of tion, the 'valveg68 is unseated. 1

With the application-"slide valves 31 and position the r I valve application SlldQ-VZLlVB'SLillQ cut oif v pipe pressure carried inthesystem is of a 1 low degree, such as TOlbs, the pressure ;of

spring v66 holds the valve piston seated pressure carried is ofahigher degre'e, such as 110 pounds, the'valvepiston "6411s un- /Vith said valve piston seated spring 'ZO'h-olds the valve. 68'seated, but when the valve p ston6l is n lts downward pose 36, of the brake valve and split reduction valve devices respectively, in the inward position, the first reduction reservoir 130 is vented to the atmosphere through pipeand passage 131, cavity 132 in the brakevalve I applicationslide valve 31 and the-atmospheric passage 133,"asjwell as by wvay of passages 131 and 134 in the split reduction device, cavity 135 in the Split l feClLlCtiOIl{L13 .plicationslide valve 36and theatinospheric passage 121. vThe second reduotion. reser vvoir 136 is vented to theatmosphere by way 7 t of pipe and passage 13?, cavity 138 in the retary valve 8 of thebr-akevalve device 1,1 and v the, atmospheric passagef139,jas W ll .b valve 36 in'the inwardor release POSltlOInj way of passages 137 and -163 i'n the'split-ijre:

duction device, cavity 135 in the "split redu'c- 1 tion. application slide valve 36-and the, at

mosph'eric; passage 121; ,Thegconnectionof the first and second reduction reservoirs, 130 and; 136 respectively, to the atmosphere,fby way 0fcavity'135 in the split reduction-apthe train control equipment, --as-' hereinafter 'fully described, and the reasonfor'said connection will beset f th- 1 n another? 1 11- cation. 7

J The reservoir 140 is constant cominunh ioojplication slide vajlve 36 and-the atmospheric J i vent 121, is not required forthe operation of unfavorable signal indication, the magnet 3 i becomes jdeenergizedk and the pressure "of springg80 unseats the'valve' TiiuldConfieCtS the chamber 7 5 toth e atmosphere,through V chamber-72 and passage 73. Since'the brake 1 Valve application piston cha mber 27.and the split reduction valve application piston chamber 32 are bothjconnected to chamber 75. of the magnet valve device, said piston chambers are also ventedtothe atmosphere and the application pistons 28 and 33fand slide valves 31 and 36 of the brakevalve and I split reduction valve devices, respectively;

are shifted to their outward or application "positions, by the fluid under pressure in the valve chambers30 and '35, respectively. 1

"In" the applicationposition vof the brake I valve piston chamb'e r 22 is connected to the 70 against the seat ring 65, but if the brake pipe I from the valve chamber chamber 50 of the regulating portion and to atmosphere through passage 103, iavity 132 in the slide valve 31and the atmospheric passage 133, so that the fluidat feel valve pressure in chamber 24 and cut-off valve chamber 17 acts'to shift the cut-oil valve 18 and piston 21 outwardly, against the pressure of 'spring 23, until the valve 18 seals on the seat ring 19 and prevents further flow of fluid under pressure to the brake pipe. At substantially the same time, cavity 96 in the brake valve application slide valve 31 connects the equalizing reservoir 12 and the equalizing piston chamber 11, to the first reduction;reservoir 130, by Way of passages 98,97, and 181. In the application position of the application slide valve 36 of the splitreduction device 2, the pas sage 134: from the first reduction reservoir 130 is lapped, so that the fluid'in the equalizing reservoir is permitted to equalize into the first reduction reservoir, causing a predetermined pressure decrease in the equalizing piston chamber 11. The higher brake pipe pressurein the equalizing piston chamber 13, then operates to open the "discharge valve 16 and permit the flOW'Of fluid under pressure from the brake 3-ipe 1 1 'nto passage 124: and then to the atmosphere through the choked passage 125 in the split reduction device. The flow area of choked passage 125 is lessthan the rate of flow from the brake pipe past the open discharge valve 16, so that a pressure is'huilt up in passage 124; v

In application-position of the luction application slide valve 36, cavi 123 connects the brake pipe discharge passage 1% to passage 122, leading .to chamber 4:9 of the regulating portion, so that the brake pipe discharge pressure in passage 12 1 is effective on one side of both of the diaphragm heads 48 and 52.

Port 1 12, through the split reduction application slide valve 36,1egisters with the choked passage 143, so that fluid under pressure is permitted to flow at a certain rate 35, to the valve split, re;

that a pressure is permitted to gradually bulld up in the reservoir 1 10.

At the same time as the above action 1S g place, the fluid under pressure in the hold-back piston chamber 453, chamber 110 and in the timing 112, is being vented to the at It the brake pipe 1 on the I stantially air it, the e ',ua" .1 10 operates to littthe discharge valve 16 at substantially the i time or is iate y following the case pressure in the equa ton r 11,

which occurs as hereinbefore described, so that the dischar d fluid from the :e A i 7 ;re in passages 124 and 122 and in the dn iragm chamber 49 of the regulating portion, t a taster rate than a pressure is built up in the valve chamber 50 of the regulating portion and the connected reservoir 117, by the flow from the application valve chamber 36 through choked passage 1 1 3 and passage 118. As a result, the diaphragm head 18 operates to shift slide valve 51 to the right, until the cavity 14.9 connects passage 126, om the control piston chamber to the atmosphere, through passage 150. The control piston chamber being thus vented, the pressure in the valve chamber 2 shifts the l 1. bill control piston 58 and slide valve 61 to the outward position, against the opposing sure of spring 60.

In the outward position of the control slide valve 61, cavity 151 connects the control piston chamber 59 to the atmosohere, in addition to the atmospheric connection through the regulating portion, by Way of passages 126, and 152, cavity 153 in the hold back slide valve 1% and theatmospheric passage 15 1. Cavity 155, in the control slide valve 61, connects passae113, from the hold baclrpiston chamber anl the timing reservoir 112, to'passage 57.

pres- Fluid under pressure discharged from the brake pipe 1 1 into chamber 4-9 or". the regulating portion, acts on diaphragm 52 to hold the valve 56 seated, so as to prevent the flow of fluid under'pressure from passage 5? to the chamber 55.

Vi hen the brake pipe pq'essure is decreased to a degree slightl less the 'n'edetermined degree or first reduction in the equalizing reservoir pressure, the equalizing pis ion 10 of the brake v e device-1, operates in the usual manner to .u the discharges. valve 16 and thus prevent further flow or fluid under pressure from :hebrahe pipe into passage The pressure of the fluid in the a 'agm chamber 19 of the regulating portion, on gradually reduces through the "ic choke 125 by vvay of passages 121, untilthe reduced pressure in 49 becomes insufiicient to resist the pressure of fluid the valve'chams ber 50 of the regulating portion, sothat the diaphragm head 48 and slide valve 51 are shifted to the left and passage 126 is again lapped. Since the control piston chamber 59 is still connected to the atmos phere, through the atmospheric passage 1,

controlled by the hold back slide valve 414,

the flow of fluid through port 127 inthe control piston '58 can not cause said piston to move back to its inward position. p

' When the pressure in diaphragm chamber 49 is reduced to a certain predetermined degree, the pressure of spring 128 shifts the diaphragm 52, which unseats the valvebti,

thereby permitting the, flow of fluid underpressurefrom passage 57, from the hold back piston chamber 43 and the timing reservoir 112, to the reservoir 1 10, by Way of chamber 55, passage 156, past the ball check valve 157 and through passage 14?. The reservoir 1 10 r is ahead 'c-hare'ettto a certain de 'ree of y Q 2:

pressure, means hereinbefore described, and by the connection of this reservoir with the reservoir 112, the rate of decrease in timingreservoir pressure is accelerated;

Vhenthe timing reservoirpressure, act'- ing on the holdback piston 42 and on the tuning va ve piston 39, 111 thus reduced to a predetermined degree, the pressure of spring 40 shifts the timing valve '39'invvardly, until it seals on the seat ring 41 and connectsthe hold back piston chamber 43 to the atmosfit) phere through passage l13,'p0rt 114, chamber 37 and passage 38. The fluid pressure in the hold back piston chamber 43 is thus.

quickly reduced and the pressure in the valve chamber 45 then shifts the-hold back piston 12 and slide valve 1st to the outward position, in Which position cavity 158 in the slide valve connects passage 131 from the first reduction reservoir 130 to passage 137, from sure and. consequently a second application 01 the brakes,

The operator may limit 7 second reduction, to that required tor mak-' ing a full application of thebrakes, by moving the brake valve handle 9 to lapposit-ion, in which position the passage 137,; from the second reduction, reservoir 136, is lapped by the rotary valve 8. Under such a condition, the degree of reduction will be limited to the equalization of the pressu re in the equalizing reservoir 12 andiirst reduction reservoir 130, into the second reduction reservoir 136. If the brake valve is not lapped, a complete venting of fluid under 'tion;- a I 1 According torn-y inventionfthe valve f56, s

the degree of;

pressure from th'e'equalizin'g piston chamber ll -w'ill occur-, vvith' the obviousresult, of "a cemp'lete ventingof fluid from the brake pipe. N r Ln the second reduction positionof the hold back slide valve lhport-159 registers with pa age 152 and fluid at feed valve pressure from the hold back valve chamber flows to the control piston chamber 59, which added to the floW' of fluid under pressure through '-p ort 127 in the 'control piston,

quickly builds up sufiicientpressure in said Ci12l111b1','l0 shift the control valve back to its normal inward position, in Whichpo'siti'on the "supply of 'llui'd is cut oil from the hold back valve chamber 45 and" the pressure is then maintainedv in the piston chamber l -Jhen the second reduction is thusmade, the pressure, 1n valve chamber50 of the 59 by flow of fluid under pressure through the port 127.

regulating port-ion, is such asto prevent the a brake pipe-discharge pressure in. the dia V phra 'm chamber 49 from operating thediaphragm head 18 and slide valve 51 to again vent the control piston chamber, so that after functioning as hereinbefore described, I

the control piston 58 remainsintheinvvard .position/ a r a I Ii instead ofhaving a substantially'air tight brake pipe, there'is leakage of'fiuid under pressure from the brake pipe to the atmosphere, then in efle'ctingabralre app'li' T cation, said leakage hastens the rate of I drop in brake pipe'pressure and applies thebrakes at a fasterrate, withtheobviousresult, that the slack etvveen the cars in a train is 'gath 'ei'ed more 'quic-l-zly and therefore the second reduction in' brakefpipe pressure may be started sooner. Furthermore, as the degree of brake pipe leakage increases, the time,

that the usual brake'jpipe discharge valve remains open, to? sheet "certain reduction inbralie pipe pres ire, decreases in propor- When open, provides a second vent from the i Y timing reservoir 112, saidven't'b'emg auxiliary to the atmospheric vent 148,-;controlled the split reduction application slidevalve 36. "Since the valve 56is controlled by the: fluid vented iroin jthe' bracket pipe, due to its actionjon the; diaphragnr 52, the time,

from the start of the first reduction, -to the opening of said valve, decreases as the-brake pipe leakage increases; I

sure in the timing reservoir .112 is permitted to'fio'w to the reservoir 1 10, 'Which'ischarged a pressure, the degree of WlIlOll VQIlBS as the time from the-start of the firstreduction' to the opening-of the valve 56Lvariesl' l As this time element; decreases with the increase in brake pipe leakage, thep ressure obtained in reservoir is lower, and the consequent;

Whenthe valve'56 opens, fluid u-nder'pres rate'of flow from the timing reservoir 112, to the reservoir 140, increases proportionately. This means of increasing the rate of drop in the pressure of the fluid in the timing reservoir, as the brake pipe leakage in creases, provides in eifect,,a choke, having a variable flow area, which flow area automatieally is adjusted in accordance to the requirement of the particular brake pipe conditi on.v I

This variable decrease of the timing reservoir pressure in combination with the variable time from the start of the first reduction to theopening of the valve 56, provides a time element between the start of the l st reduction and the start of the second reduction which ensures the start of the second; reduction substantially as soon as the train slack is completely gathered, irrespective of; the brake pipe leakage condition, within a predetermined maximum limit. Ifthe brake pipe leakage exceeds a certain degree, the brake pipe discharge valve 16 isnot opened for a considerable period of time, on account ofthe brake pipe leakage causing aidecrease in brake pipe pressure substantially as, fast as the pressure in the erpializing piston chamber 11 is reduced. Under such a condition, the pressure obtained in valve chamber 50 of the regulating portion, by the time the discharge valve 16 opens, issuiiicient-to hold the diaphragm head ,tS and slide valve 51 in the position snown on the drawing, against the build up of fluid under pressure discharged from the brake pipe into diaphragm chamber 4:9. Therefore, the control piston 58 and slide valve Glare not operated to connect the timingreservoir112 to the valve 56 and as a result, the vpressure of the timing reservoir fluid is reduced, by venting, only through the atmospheric passage 148, to the operating pressure of the timing valve 39, which then operates, in the same manner as hereinbeitore described, to cause the second reduction in brake pipe pressure.

The time required to reduce the pressure of the timing reservoir fluid through the atmospheric passage 14:8, to the operating pressure of the timing valve 39, is the maximum time seated.,-'or in, case the discharge valve 16 remains-open longer than desired, due to a reed back of fluid into the brake pipe trom pressure than if the train were long 1'.

the auxiliai 'yreservoirs on the cars, or in case the control piston 58 and slide valve 61 fail to move to their outward position, when they should, that the maximunrtime limit for the blow down of the pressure in the timing reservoir 112 will govern and ensure the start of the second reduction,

lhe amount of fluid under pressure that has to be vented from the brake pipe in order to effect a certain brake pipe reduction varies as the train length varies. Therefore, as the train length is decreased, the valve 56?, of the regulating portion of the split reduction device 2, will open sooner than for a long train. Opening of valve 56 permits the venting of timing reservoir fluid into the 'vvoir 140, which charged to a lower The timing reservoir pressure will therefore re duce at a faster rate than if the reservoir 140 8 were charged to a higher pressure, as would be the case with a longer train. with the result, that the time limit from the start or the first to the start of the second stage of reduction in brake pipe pressure will vary substantially in direct proportion to the train length.

, It will be noted from the above descrip tion that the split reduction apparatus operates to decrease the time to the of the second reduction, as the trainene'th is decreased, in a manner substantially the same as said time limit is decreased by an increase in brake pipe leakage, on a train of a given length, as has been hereinbefore fully described.

If the fluid under pressure carried in the brake pipe 14 is higher than the usual '70 pounds, such as has been hereinbefore men tioned, said fluid pressure acting on the top of the valve piston 61L, inside the seal ring 65, forces said valve piston to its downward position against the pressure of spring 66, thereby unseating the valve 68 and opening coinnninication between VtlLYQ- cl. 3r 9 1m and the atmosp 'ric cavity 71 v in effecting tin. first stage of a split reduction, when carrying a high brake pipe pressure, the brake pipe dis harge 1 ssure builds up in the diaphragm chamber the regulating portion, to a h' l degree. than when 70 pounds brake pi i is carried, so that after the brake charge valve 16 closes. it requires time, for the pressure in chainher l9 duco to the pressure which the v l opens. To compensate for this inci time from the start of the first redueti the opening of the valve 56. the fluidpressure in the timing res 1 112 1:3: duced at a faster rate, after. the open valve 56, by conneiting the timin li 112 to the atmosphere through p11 choke plug 160, valve chamber (,9 i

unseated valve 68 and to the ati r so '' At this reduced pressure, less cavity 71, in addition tonthe usual venting into the reservoir 140 andto the atmosphere through the choked atmospheric passage 148. Thisincreasedrate of blow down of timing IQSBRVOH "PIQSSHFG provides a time period from the sta -tot the first tothe start of the second reduction, under the higher brake pipe pressure 'conditienspivhich is sufiicient to ensure, the start of the second reduction substantially assoon as the slack in-thetrain has been completely gltllf TGCL 'lhehralte pipe'pressure, that is required to shift the valve piston 6%- tlou'nvvard, is greater than the'prcss'ure at which the spring 66 .can retiirn the valve to the seat ring 65, on account of the larger exposed area of the valve piston in the downwardjposition.

This is so designed to ensure, that-the valve piston 64; will not move umvard v and pr-r mit the valve 68 toseat when a tullserviee reduction in brake pipe pIGSSHFQlS eli'ected.

The choke plug ill in the reservoir i l-O 7 provides a means for said'reser-voi r and the connected passages, When the split" reduction apparatus is moved to release Furthermore," since. such [an at mospheric vent obviously retards the rharg position.

ing rate oftheireservoir 14-0, it provides incombination with a :small reservoir, the equivalent of a large reservoir. necessary amass particular construction be used, since. aw'larger reservoir might equally ivellubeemp'loyed, so 'far as fund tion is concerned, and then instead of providingllanlatinospheric'vent from the res-- ervoir, the venting of fluid under pressure from said reservoir could be controlled through a. cavity in thessglh reduction-application slide valve 36. 1 H Associating the check valve 146 and spring; 162 with the choke'in passage 1627, provides a means for controlhnggthe rate of flow ot fluid under pressure tothe reservoir leitl. Tho spring 16L, acting-onthe checlcval ve 14.6, reduces the pressure in the spring chamher, a degree below the pressure -1n )assager 145, equal to the pressurewot n'io; 162. huief flows through the choke'in passage 147, than it the pressure were higher so that, a '.re-.v

sult, the flow area through the choke; can, be made a more practical s ze, 'lor the capacity required therethrough. I It will be'noted, that the first r reservoir- 130 an'dthe second reth 1i ervoir 136 are separated, until the split re" duction device operates to connect sai'dires ervvoirs. This ensures limiting: the degree of t v is not the first reduction to 1 the ;pr-edetermihed amount permissible for gentle gathering of the train slack. further be noted that the second can not start 5 until intended, s1nce It will reduction the start of said'reduction'fis governed by reducing the pressure of the timing reservoir fluid to a certain predetermined degreefi -Havin'g'now d'escribedmy inventiomwhat I claim as new and desire to; secure-by; L'et-' 1,- Inafiuid pressure brake, the combinetien with a brake pip'e, oi means forjauto maticallyeilectingf successive reductions in .ll-rake pipe pressure,- "and means for? regulate ing the time .e'lap'si-ngbetween"said'Qreduc e tions inaccordance, viththe'hrake pipe pres f sure carrie'dr 1 I o a 7 L2. 1111 a fluid pre'ssu ehrake, tio'n \vithja' brake pip ervojirs, "means operated upon a ventingof 'fluidunder pressure to'one 'oit'said-rese'rvoirs toeltect 'a'reductio'n in brake-pipe pressure and to r the other of said-reservoirs to 7 effect second reductioninhrake pipe pres suregand means whereby the connection of one reservoir with the otherjis timed-fin acfcerdance with tliefhrake pipe pressurecarried; v

-13. In a fluid pressure brake, the'combina tion- With a brake pipe, of means torture: matieally ellecting' successive reductions-in brake' pipe pressure including a first reduc a valvefdevice for connecting said reservoirs-,- a -timmg reservoir normally =cha'rgedwvith ,fluid under-pressure, and a-valve device for V controlling the firstnientioned' valve-device V v and subject to the opposing pressures of the timingreservoir and a spring in effecting 'a reduction in brake pipe pressure; l. In. a ll'uid'pres'surebrakefthe combin tron W1tl'rahrake pipe, of means fora-rite matically' effectingsuccessive reducti'onsrin brake pipe pressureincluding a first-redu c he combina e, of tworeducmen're'sg.

.tion reservoir, a -second reduction reservoir, I

ionv l :tion reservoir a second reduction reservoir ,7 e 3 eavillve'devicefor connecting sai'dreservoirs, atiming reservoir, la valvefdevic'eassociated \vlth the ,tlrst'm'entioned' valve device and subject to the timing reservoir pressure for maintainingthe first: inen'tionedvalve inoperative, and means st'oi gradually "reducing said pressure to permit the first mentioned 1 I valve device to'operate to connect said first .and second reduction reservoirs; In 'a-fiuid pressure brake, the co'nihinationgwith abrake pipe, o-tmeans' for automatically effecting successive" reductions i in brake pipepressure including a first reduc V tio'irreservoir, a second reduction reservoir,

' a valve device for connecting said reservoirs and having a valve chamberand a piston chamber, a timing reservoir,- a timingvalve device having. a piston valve chamber," said timing reservoir "and chambers being norpiston chamber to permit said valve device to operateto connect said first and second reduction reservoirs 6. In a fluid pressurebrake, the combination with a brake pipe, of an equalizing reservoir,1a valve mechanism subject to the op posing pressures of the equalizing reservoir and the brake pipe f-oriventin-g fluid from thebrake pipe, a first andasecond reduction reservoir, means for first connecting the first reduction reservoir to said equalizing reservoir, a control valve device having a control portion and a regulating portion, a timing reservoir, another reservoir, a valve device for controlling the operation of saidregulating portion to permit said control portion to operate to'conn'ect said timing reservoir and last mentioned reser' voir to further reduce the pressure in said timing reservoir and means operable upon the reduction intiming reservoir pressure for connecting said first and second reduction reservoirs to effect a second reduction in brakepipe pressure.

7. In afluid pressure brake, the combination with a. brake pipe, oftwo reduction reservoirs, means for first venting fluid under pressure toone of said reservoirs to effect a reduction in brake pipe pressure and then to the other of said reduction reservoirs toetl'ect a'second reduction in brake pipe pressure, and means for causing an'ela-pse of time from the beginningof the first reduction to the beginning of the second reduction, said means comprising a timing reservoir initially charged with fluid under pressure and means operable upon a reduction in timingreser- 1 voir pressure for etfectingthe second reduc tion.

8. In .a fluid pressure brake, the combination with a brake pipe, of two reduction.

- reservoir, means operable upon the start of the init al reduction in hrakeplpe pressure for causing the last mentioned reservoir and timing reservoir to be connected to cause a reduction in the pressure acting upon said timing valve device whereby said valve de vice will move from its initial position, and means controlled by said timing valve de ice for connecting said reduction reservoirs to effect a second reduction in brake pipe pressure.

9, In a fluid pressure brake, the combination with a brake pipe, of two reduction reservoirs, means whereby fluid under pressure-is vented to one of said reservoirs to cause an initially reduction in brake pipe pressure, a ti iingreservoir initially charged with fluid under pressure, a timing valve device maintained in one position by the timing reservoir pressure, a reservoir initially out of communication with said timing reservoir, means operable upon the start of the initial reduction in brake pipe pressure for causing the last mentioned reservoir and timing reservoir to be connected to cause a reduction in the pressure acting upon said timing valve device whereby said valve device will move from its initial position,1'neans controlled by said timing valve device for connecting said reduction reservoirs to efiect a second reduction in brake :pip'e pressure, and means wherebysaid timing reservoir and the reservoir connected with it, are disconnected when the second reduction in brake pipe pressure is initiated. V

10. In a fluid pressure brake, the combination with a brake pipe, of two reduction reservoirs, means whereby fluid under pressure is vented to one of said reservoirs to cause an initial reduction in brake pipe pressure, a timing valve device having a chamber initially charged with fluid under pressure, a timing valve piston adapted to be maintained inone position by the fluid under pressure in saidvchamber, a reservoir, means operable upon the start of the initial reduction in brake pipe pressure for gradually reducing the pressure in said chamber, valve means operable by the vented fluid under pressure from the brake pipe for causing a conection to be made between said chamher and valve means for a predetermined period of time, at the end of which period o-ftime said valve means is adapted to connect said chamber and last mentioned reservoir to cause an increased reduction of the pressure in said chamber to permit said timing valve piston to move to another position, and means operable upon the operation of said timing valve piston for connecting said reduction reservoirs for initiating a second reduction in brake pipe pressure.

.11. In. a fluid pressure brake, the combination with a brake pipe, of two reduction reservoirs, means whereby fluid under pressure is vented to one of said reservoirs to cause an initial reduction in bra'kc pipe pressure,

Hill

a timing valve device having, a chamber in ltially charged jWltll fluld under pressure; a timing valve piston adapted to'be mainervoir, means for regulating the rate of flow of the fluid under pressure to said reservoir,

ing said timing'valve device chamber to the atmosphere, means for regulating the flow of fluid from the last mentioned chamber, and means operable upon the-initial-reduction in brake pipe pressure for connecting said tim-- ing valve device chamber and the lastm'entioned reservoir for' effecting a reduction in; the pressure in the timing valve device chamher to permit-said timing valve piston to operate" and permit said hold back piston device to operate 2 to I connect said reduction reservoirs to effect a second reduction in brake pipe pressure. p 7 V 12. In afluid pressure brake,'the combination with-a brakefpipeand means for effecting a reduction in ,gbrake pipe pressure," of a, normally charged timlng reservoir means operated upon'a predetermined reduction in (pressure in said timing reservoir for effecting a, secondreduction 1n brake spipepressure, andmeans controlledby the fluid discharge; from' 'the brake pipe'in ef-= ,fecting-the first reduction in brake pipe pressure for controllingthe rate at which fluid is vented from the timing reservoir;

13. In a fluid pressure brake,"the combina tion with a brake pipe and ineansfor e f-' fecting a reductionin brake pipe pressure,

of a normally charged timing reservoir means operated upon apredetermined reduction in pressure insaid timing reservoirfor efiectmg a second reduction'ln brake pipe pressure, a reservoir no'r'mallyat atmospheric pressure, means-for charging saidreservoir withfl'uid under pressure at a predetermined rate; and meanscontrolled by fluid vented from the brake pipe for controlling communicationjfrom the timing reservoir to the otherreservoir.-. j

14. In a fluid pressure tion witha brake pipe and means for effecting a first reductionin brake pipe pres sure, o-i'a timing reservoir normally charged with fluid under pressure,- means Operated upon a predetermined reduction in pressure inisaidreservoir r01 effectinga second re-" duction' in 1 brake, pipe pressure, means for reducing the pressure in]said-reservoir, and means controlled by the degree ofbrake p pe. pressure carried for controlling thec'onnection from said reservoir to a vent port.

brake,'the combinanation with abrakepipe means for effecting a first reductionin brake pipe pres-v sure, of a timing reservoir normally charged' with fluid under pressure, means operated upon a predetermined reduction n pressure in said reservoir for effect ng asecond re duction in brake pipe pressure, means for re i mg a communication through which fluid 'is' vented. fromsaid reservoir, said application piston device also connect 16. In a fluid pressurebrake, the combi g;

ction with a brake pipe. and meansfor. effecting a first reduction in brake pipefpresg sure, of a timing reservoiiflnoi'mally charged I with fiuld under pressure, means operated upon apredetermined reduction inpressure nation with a, brake pipe, of means for auto- 1 matically efl'ecting successive reductions in g the operation of said means for control brake pipepressure, and' m'eans whereby the} time period elapsing between said reduction will be automatically varied to suit a liigh for a low brake pipe pressure; s I r I 18. In a fluid pressure'brake, the combination ith a brake pipepof means for automatically' eflecting' successive reductions in] brake'pipe pressure, and means wherebythe time period elapsing between the start of the first reduction and'thestart of thesecond reduction will be'automatically regulated to suit high or lowbrake pipe pressures. '19. In a fluid 'pre ssure'brake, the'combi nation'with a brake pipe, of means for automatically eflecting successivereductions in brake pipe pressure, and means whereby the'time periodjelapsing between thestart of thegfirst reduction and the startot the] second reduction will beregnlated to suit varying brake plpe pressuresf -20. In afluidpressurebrake, the" combi-C nation with a brake pipe, of means fo'r autojmatically efl'ecting successive reductions brake plpe pressure, timing means for reguj "lat ng the time 'perlod elapsmg between the start fof one reduction and "the sta rt: o f another reduction under: low brake pipe;

pressure, 'and timing means adapted to operate with the first mentioned timing means for timing said reductions: linden high'brake pipe pressures.

matically 'eflecting successive redu'ctionsfin 7 2l.-In a fluid pressure ,brake,=,the combi {nation with a brake pipe, of means for auto;

15. 1'In a fluid pressure" brake, the combir V brake ,pipe pressure, timing means for regulating the time period elapsingrbetween the start, of one reduction and the start of another reduction under low brake pipe pressure,an'd timing means adapted to cooperate with the first mentioned timing means for timingsaid reductions under high braite pipe pressures, the last mentioned timing means being inoperative under low brake pipe pressure.

22; In fluid ,pressure brake, the combination with a brake pipe of means for effecting a first reduction in brake pipe pressure, ot a timing reservoir normally charged with,fluidiunder pressure' a reservoir partia'lly chaiigedwith fluid under pressure during thejiirst reduction in brake pipe pressure, a.controlvalvedewice having said reservoirs communicating therewith and norma'lly maintaining said reservoirs disconnected from each. other, a regulating valve device through ,which said' partially charged reservoir normally communicates with said contro'l ya'lve device, n1eans in said regulating; valve ,device subject to the pressure,,of, fluid discharged from said brake pipe for causing communica voir'and said regulat ng ,valve. device, and for causing COIIlmHIllCttillOIl, of said. partially rel-iarg ed reservoirand said control valve to, be closed, a and means,=-'for vent ng the fluid under pres- 1 sure- Whom said regulating valvedevice at aupredetermmed rateto .vent said t ming reservoir into said partially chargedreservoir for-causinga secondreduction :in brake pipe pressure to be initiated .In a 'fiuidpressure V of efi'ecting. successive reductions inbrake pipe pressure consisting of, first operating an ,..applica-tion mechanism, to start an in tial reduction inbrake vplpe pressure and under pressure in a .timing valve device at ,a regulated rate, to, permit vented fluid under pressure from the brakepipe. to-ifiow to a regulating. valve device and turtherfto gradually charge a. reservoir, zfiuid under pressure from the brake p pe. then bu lds up a pressure, inthe. regulating valve device and Operates it to cause the operation of a control valve, device, the pressure in said regulating valve device is th'engradually reduced perm itting said device to operateto vent ffluid under pressure in. said timing valve .devicetosa-id.reservoir, and then operatihg. said timing valve device to cause the connectionof a vplurality ofred uotion res er'voirs to e'tfect a further reduction-in brake ,p-ipe pressure.

24. In .a fluid; pressure brake, the eo effecting an initial reduction in brake, pipe pressure, a t nnng,. reservoir normally charged wi'thflfluid underpressure, means h n to be established between said timing res r brake, the method 1 hi i nation with a brake pipe, oi means tor operated ,upon apredetermined reduction ,in' pressure in said tun fluid from said reservoir, andmeans operating upona change in the signalindicat ion for ettecting the operation of said valve device.

.ig reservoir for efiQ Qt ing a further reduct on in brake pipe-pressure, avalve device torcontrolling the vent-,

25. In a fluid pressurebrake, the combi nation with a brake pipe, of means toreifec'u ing an .iritial reduction in brakepipe pres I J I, gireservoir normal-1y charged with thud, under,pressu-re, a ,va lve dev ce L i re in said timing reservoir toriefie cting a turtherreduction ZJH bl ZLkQ pipe pressure, a valve device tor 7 con trolllng a vent irom said reservoiig, and means controlled bytlie presv atedupon predetermined reduction in,

sure. o'tfiflui d discharged tromthegibrake pipe v "for ,controlling operation of [the last named valve device 1 p 26. a fluidpressure ;brake,,-the col-11bination with brake pipe, of means for automatically effectin first and asecond re- 27. In a ,fiuid brake;

nation with a brake pipe, of meanstor automatieally egtlecting a lirst anda secondrednetion in brake pipe ,p essu-re, means ,operable upon thestart of-the first reduction for causing a.,pre deteamined; ,maXin-ium: time periodto -elapse before the: start of, the

; second reductionregardless oi brake ,pipe

lealgage,. and means operable by fluid discharged trom, ,said brake =p1pge, ,in ,efiectlng the first reduction, for shortening said time? pe 'i'od between reductions,

28. Ina f1 idi-pressure bralta -the combination; with a brake pipe, and means .4501

efiiectingagednction in-brake pipepressure,

of normally charged timing reservoir, and means operated upon a -predetermn1edreducing a second reduction in bi'akevpipe ;pres sure, sa d means. ]oe1n g, adapted ,to cause a 5 tion in pressure in saidEreservoi-r for effect predetermined maximum time period to;

elapse between the startof the first-.reduo tion and-the star-t oft -the second reduction regardless of brake pipe leakage; V

29, In a fiu id pressure bra-ke, the --coinbination with a brake pipe,o;1 means forauto-i;

matically efiecting successive reductions in brake pipe 1 pressure including a. discharge valve device operable to efiectJ-ani initial rake, pipe reduction over a periodvoftime age, and means subject to the pressure of governed by thefiegre'e -of-iorake pipe, leak-p 'fluid discharged from said brake pipe for governing the time period between said initial reduction and a second reduction.

30. In a fluid pressure brake, the combination with a brake'pipe,of means for automatically efiecting successive reductions in brake pipe pressure including a brake pipe discharge valve device adapted to discharge fluid under pressure from said brake pipe for a period of time proportionate to the degree of brake pipe leakage, and means sub ject to the pressure of fluid discharged from said brake pipe for controlling the time period elapsing between said reductions.

81. In a fluid pressure brake, the combination with a brake pipe, of means for automatically effecting successive reductions in brake pipe pressure including means for discharging fluid under pressure from said brake pipe to effect an initial reduction in brake pipe pressure over a period of time governed b'ythe degree of brake pipe leak-'- age, and means subject to the pressure of fluid discharged from saidbrake pipe during said period of time for controlling the time of the start of another reduction. p

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

, JOSEPH o; oouNE; 

